Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-01-09
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.
FEATURES OF WEDDING FESTIVITIES IN
FOREIGN LANDS.
Ceremonies With Which the Bulgarians Celebrate
Their Nuptals-A Norwegian Marriage
Queer Rites Entertainingly
Described.


in most unromantic fashion; the prelim-
inaries are all accomplished by proxy. On
betrothal day bride and groom separately
entertain their own special circle of
friends, the men Of the party occupy
ing one room while the women
have their pleasant little talks by
themselves; to all guests coffee,
jelly, wine and sweetmeats are offered,
and each individual receives little roll
containing candy, cloves and kind of
chewing gum, the gift neatly enclosed in
blue paper; this peculiar presentation
is regarded an invitation to the wedding
At this preliminary festivity many speci-
mems Of the brides handiwOrk are shown
to the company-towels of cotton and silk
interviewer, embroidered undergarments,
slippers and handkerchiefS; they are taste
fully set forth upon handsome silver sal
vers.
The three months interim are occupied
i'll making the household plenishing and
the brides outfit as varied and elegant as
circumstances permit; oddly enough, the
materials or purchase money for comfort
able start in life are mainly furnished by
the groom or by his father. Two days pre-
vious to the wedding (which is always on
Sunday again occur merry gatherings; ac-
quaintances are now included, and as be-
fore, bride and groom receive" at their
respective houses. The bride, tastefully
attired, as distinguishing mark adds a
peculiar head dress and glittering train
of tinsel fabric, eight inches wide and
yard in length; this is secured to band
of her new head dress and flows gracefully
over shoulders. q.
Each guest on entering is saluted by the
bride; the offered hand she bows over, and
in token Ofgreat respect presses it TO her
forehead. Music is furnished by group
| of gypsies, with fddleS aud tambOurines,
and young girls join in queer sort of
dance called ChOrO; but the grand feature
OF this days mirth is i formal procession
of the bride and her female friends to the
public bath set apart for women; this is,
under usual circumstances, great occa-
sion for lively gossip, and upon this Occa-
sion five hours are given to chat, and per-
chance for rest and sleep; the musicians
are on hand, and fddles are constantly
pressed into service.
After this part of the entertainment is
over the party returns to the young girls
home, and her mother, for good luck
greeting, throws over the heads of her
guests, some handfuls Of rice, embraces
her daughter, and, weeping bitterly, takes
Off one VI the brides shoes; hereupOn the
daughter tenderly kisses the mothers
hand, lOOsen5 one of her mothers shoes
and receives from the maternal hand bot
tie of wine aud loaf of bread; upon this
the entire circle unite in u general weeping
and enter the house.
The groom at his own home holds an
evening entertainment; the young men
gather in an upper room, where An ample
least is set forth, while the master of the
house receives the older men in lower
\ room.
On the morning of the wedding day the
bride, attired in delicate silk, with many
bracelets and necklace, and upon her head
the glittering tinsel fabric worn on Friday
evening, and with musicians in attend
ance, receives her guests. Her girl friends
gather about her, her parents, brothers,
sisters, cousins, join the circle, all of whom
are greeted, as she kisses hand OF each;
| q
sort of farewell this, all them shedding
tears the while.
! A procession of married ladies now file
in, 4 delegation from the grOom's house; at
the threshold handfuls of rice are thrown
over them; they acknowledge the courtesy
by kissing the hand of the performer.
Each delegate now receives sprig Of sweet
basil, and a third person pours over il
drops of roSe-water; now they approach
the bride, who is attended by two little
girls bearing wax tapers. Suddenly an
old lady appears upon the scene, bearing
a beautiful brOad-clOth sacque lined
throughout with rich fur, and all
the former helpers stand aside as the
venerable relative solemnly robes the bride
in this matronly garment, leading her to
the door, where farewells are gwen to faith
er and mother and procession of guests
follow, with neithera joke, laugh nor loud
word, and so they walk to the house of the
gloom, who, surrounded by friends, awaits
the coming of his lady-love, and, stepping
forth to meet her as she passes through the
low gateway, halts moment, as jointly
they receive in token of welcome another
shower of rice from the grOom's mother;
this, mingled with bonbOns and coins,
children eagerly seize.
The couple now enter a room where
hangs picture of the Madonna with a
lamp before it, burning. On a table are
wax candles, sweetmeats, and two crowns
made of artificial flowers and joined by
green silk ribrOn. A priest swings cen
ser filled with burning incense; another
lights the candles, offers one to his associ-
ate, then to BRIDE and groom each one,
and one he retains. The service, in the
Sclavic tongue, is given in alienation by
both priests; responses are given
by other men. A priest now takes q
ring from the groom's finger
makes with it the sign OF the cross upon
the foreheads of the man and woman be-
fore him, puts it on the brides finger,
takes it off, changes it back and forth
several times and finally places it on the
groOm's little finger. The pair then Join
right hands as candles are held over them;
the crowns are blessed and crossed and by
the priest put on their heads. then, by q
lady standing behind the coupe. are in
terchanged three times.
Into hemispherical cup q priest pours
wine, hleSSeS it, then offers it to the couple,
who drink, then walk around the table
three times, preceded by the priest; guests
meanwhile busy themselves Showering
bOnbons upon the crowd. After saluta-
tionS from all, a collection is made for the
priests, and the ceremony is over. Not a
pledge is asked from the couple, not even a
question for response from them.
The mother may not see her daughter
for week, after which the bride accom-
panied by the new mother and sisters, and
on later Sundays by the groom, may make
further acquaintance with the brides rela-
tiyes.
A NORMEGIAN MEnDrNG.